Opening Event – Friday 16 October 6-9pm
The exhibition presents the work of two young female photographers, Ida Baker and Elkie Riley, highlighting that the difference in their lives and experience is secondary to the fact that they have lived it through a camera.
Telling stories of their journeys, what drives their work and how they use photography to convey this. Both local to Hastings, looking at place, landscape and living by the sea – something they have in common – and how this context informs their work.
Bakers’ work is informed by growing up in Hastings, life by the sea and the people that have shaped this experience. Starting out in photography at secondary school, taking pictures of her best friend within the St. Leonards seafront, it was something she found she had a passion for. Baker in following through, is currently studying for her degree at Falmouth University, maintaining a close proximity to the coast. It was at university that she fell in love with film, and analogue photography, using original darkroom techniques to record a current reality.
Despite growing up in London, Riley has always been drawn to the outdoors, the land, the sea and horses. It was what drew her out of London in the end – landing on her feet in St Leonard’s. This local countryside sparked her interest in photography during her childhood, before the move at 16, and continues to hold her attention through her lens. Using a DLSR means ‘ultimate freedom’ to Riley, exploring the manipulation of light and digital post production editing. Due to a difficult relationship with school, she’s avoided photographic education to ‘protect’ her love of creative freedom and choice – aligning with her attitude to life, finding her own way as a young woman and continuing to give space to unconventional options.
The collaboration is the outcome of a project for young people, between PhotoHastings and Electro Studios Project Space.
With the generous support of Colin Booth
Director of and curator at Electro Studios Project Space
Image © Ida Baker and Elkie Riley | @photohastings | @electro_studios_project_space | @landing_esps_ | @elkieriley | @idabakerphoto